1994 Wizard: The Guide to Comics #31 (Direct Edition) - VG+

Catalog a key early-1994 publication entry for your archival inventory: Wizard: The Guide to Comics #31! Published by Wizard Entertainment, this unbagged direct newsstand/store edition features high-intensity, fully painted front cover artwork by Glenn Fabry (signed "GLENN 'INPROVEN' FABRY '93" in the lower right foreground), depicting DC Comics' main man, Lobo, snarling with glowing red eyes while gripping heavy chains above a skull wearing a star-studded helmet against a fiery orange-to-yellow background. The dynamic cover layout is set beneath bold yellow WIZARD title typography, top header feature callouts ("SIMON BISLEY: VIOLENCE IN COMICS, AND WHAT HAPPENED WITH LOBO", "ERIK LARSEN: ON WHO'S THE BOSS AND WHY GIMMICKS STINK"), an exclusive contest feature banner ("LEGEND! Miller, Byrne, Chadwick, Adams, Darrow, Gibbons, and Mignola...Jam Interview!"), a car giveaway callout ("WIN! THIS '69 CAMARO PAINTED BY SIMON BISLEY!"), and the red issue indicator box "31".

The back cover features a full-page commercial toy advertisement from Playmates Toys for their Star Trek: Deep Space Nine action figure line ("Rarely does one find such a handsome specimen. But, for those with less discriminating taste..."). The ad showcases a close-up photo of Quark (played by Armin Shimerman) holding a miniature action figure of himself alongside group product shots of Commander Benjamin Sisko, Odo, Lt. Jadzia Dax, Chief Miles O'Brien, Major Kira Nerys, Dr. Julian Bashir, Morn, and Gul Dukat set above Playmates and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine logos. A major centerpiece entry for 1990s comic industry archivists, Lobo completionists, Glenn Fabry cover art collectors, and 1990s sci-fi toy marketing catalogers!

Structural & Visual Inspection

• Cover & Spine Condition - NEAR MINT (NM): Original high-gloss cover retains bright yellow title typography, deep fiery orange-red painted background tones, and razor-sharp detail across Glenn Fabry's Lobo illustration with zero surface scuffs or color breaks. Spine is flat, square, and tight with precise staple positioning and no stress lines; corners remain sharp and intact.

• Interior & Back Cover Integrity: Interior high-grade newsprint pages remain clean, flat, and un-marred. The back cover featuring the Playmates Star Trek: DS9 toy commercial ad maintains vivid facial makeup detail, crisp white typography against a dark background field, clear product photography, and square edge margins with no creasing or foxing.

Item Specific Details